CHAPTER II

A PACK MULE GOES OVER A CLIFF


Next morning the boys, assisted by Eagle-eye, had prepared the
breakfast by the time the Professor had awakened. They took keen
satisfaction in calling him for breakfast. Ordinarily they slept so
late that the Professor had to turn them out by physical force.

"Anybody'd think you'd been keeping late hours, Professor," laughed
Ned Rector.

"Perhaps I have," answered the scientist good naturedly. "But if so,
I am not the only one of this party who has."

That the Professor's words held some meaning unknown to them the boys
were fully aware. Tad had said nothing of his experiences of the
previous night, so they did not think to turn to him for an
explanation.

"I might as well tell you, young gentlemen, that there was some one
prowling about this camp after we all were asleep last night--"

"What!" cried the Pony Riders in sudden surprise.

"Yes, that is true. Thaddeus and myself chased him around for nearly
half an hour, but--"

All eyes were now turned on Tad, who was bending over his plate that